The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant: April-September 1861 - Vol. 2

Copy, DLC-USG, VIA, 1. On Aug. 28, 1861, Maj. Joseph H. Eaton replied to
USG. "I am instructed to say in reply to your note through Capt Kelton a a. g.,
that the Company of sharpshooters to be raised by Capt. J. H. Hollman, will be
accepted by Major General Fremont" Copy, DNA, RG 393, Western Dept.,
Letters Sent (Press). On Sept. 5, Eaton wrote to USG. "Capt. Hollman has
gathered together a nucleus of a company of Sharpshooters to the number of
about thirty—They have been mustered into the service of the United States, and
are about receiving Sharps

Rifles. Although the Major General commanding objected to mustering in independent companies, he has decided to place
this company under your orders, in the Expectation that it will not only soon be
filled up with accomplished Riflemen, but with a class of men intelligent and
physically fitted to the peculiar duties of light troops. It may also be desireable to
make the company the nucleus of a model rifle Battalion, but of this you will make
report after that company shall be thoroghly armed, drilled & disciplined." Copy, ibid. On Sept. 23, Eaton wrote to USG. "The General Commanding has ordered
Capt. Halman's Company of sharpshooters, now in this city to be detached for
the present for service in this portion of the State and for special service in the
field." Copy, ibid., Letters Sent by Gen. Frémont.

I learn that the Springfield army
1 is not moving. The most of
the Mo. troops obtained a twenty days' leave for the purpose of
visiting their respective counties for the purpose of recruiting
and fitting out. They are pressing men into service, getting
wheat ground in many of the mills, and employing tailors, tinners
and other mechanics in preparing an outfit.

Their number, in all their camps, is supposed to be about
3000 men. If I had a sufficient force to send a regiment to Warsaw
and one to Osceola,
2 there is but little doubt their supplies could
be cut off and possibly many men captured. These are the points
at which most of them will cross the Osage River. Wednesday
3
is the time at which about the last encampment will be broken
up ...

I am growing prodigiously tired of Home Guards and begin
to despair of learning anything about them. If I could get them

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